Tampering in the NBA refers to the act of a teams representatives speaking to players on rival teams to attempt to lure them to join their team. The NBAs tampering rules state that any member of an organization, including coaches, players, executives, or owners, cannot speak to a player on another team with the intention of luring them to join their team. This includes publicly showing interest in acquiring the player or approaching their agent about a possible trade. Tampering is a serious issue in the NBA that has been challenging to control and regulate. The NBA has taken increased measures against tampering violations in recent years, specifically improper communication ahead of the free agency period. The penalties for tampering can involve a variety of punishments, including fines, the loss of draft capital, trades being reversed, and free agent signings being voided. A team official, if found guilty, can be fined up to $10 million while an active player can be suspended from games. However, tampering rules are rarely enforced, and teams have almost never been fined in the millions. The most extreme penalty in recent memory is when the LA Lakers were fined $500,000 for VP Rob Pelinka talking to Paul Georges representatives back when the All-Star was still under contract with the Indiana Pacers. The NBA has a strict stance against tampering, aiming to ensure fair play, transparency, and adherence to the leagues rules.